6.4 Power Stroke Tuner for DPF Delete – Ways to Get it Done

Stricter emissions requirements led to a sizable and superior 6.4 Power Stroke engine. The engine comes with a progressive emission system. The 6.4L has a diesel particulate filter (DPF), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) emission systems. However, when you do a simple search on issues exhibited by 6.4 Power Stroke, you'll see lots of complaints.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2008-2010
• Average lifespan of 6.4 Power Stroke:230,000-250,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:Common Rail
• Power range:350 hp
• Fuel efficiency:bad
• Engine block material:cast-iron
• Engine reliability score:low
• The most common problems:oil consumption, turbo problems, EGR problems, DPF issues, high cost of maintenance, poor fuel economy.

Fortunately, you can solve fuel consumption or performance issues with deletion. We bet you're wondering how removing part of the 6.4 Power Stroke emission systems will help improve your drivability experience and performance. Hopefully, this article will answer why your 6.4 Power Stroke needs a DPF removal and how you can do the DPF delete. 

Why the DPF Delete?

Have you exhausted your savings on repairing and replacing your truck's DPF? Are you worried about your fuel economy? Do you have to deal with recurrent DPF issues? If you've answered "yes" to all the questions, your truck and savings will benefit from a DPF removal. 

A DPF delete unleashes the monstrous power hiding behind the constrictive performance. Let's face it. No driver wants a removable system or object that slows down their truck. That's why most of them choose to delete their DPF.

A DPF delete eliminates the DPF and DOC from your car's exhaust system. Your motor will function without the DPF since the delete process reconfigures the truck's computer to operate without the DPF and DOC system. Although the DOC doesn't present as many issues as the DPF, it represses your truck's performance. 

The EGR will remain intact. It will require a different delete process. Moreover, gas recirculation occurs before the emission process. It's a separate component. Also, it's slightly complicated to perform an EGR delete. To a greater extent, the EGR delete is not a performance mod. Hence EGR deletion will not cause any performance improvement. 

Pros 

Here are the upgrades you'll notice after a DPF deletion.  

• An Upgraded Performance Level 

If done correctly, a DPF removal will result in an increased performance level. You can gain up to 100 more horsepower and eliminate the constricted performance. The DPF delete process changes your engine's overall performance and power levels. DPF clogging is a key complaint from drivers operating the 6.4 Power Stroke engine. When the emission system clogs, it results in an added exhaust backpressure. The backpressure strains your engine's turbo. Hence, reducing its efficiency. 

The backpressure also causes an increase in exhaust gas temperature (EGT). An increase in EGT adds tensity to the whole engine resulting in decreased reliability. The strain on the EGT and turbo will cause a restricted performance level. Once you do a DPF delete, you'll notice an improved engine efficiency and responsiveness. It gains more power and less turbo lag. Hence, a boosted performance. 

Additionally, there will be a lower EGT. Hence, low engine temperatures. A lower temperature in the engine leads to a healthier engine. Your engine doesn't respond well to heat. Once you reduce the temperature, you improve its reliability and performance level.   

• A Better Mileage 

The recurrent DPF clogging puts pressure on the DPF causing restricted fuel flow. Consequently, the restricted flow causes more power needs and higher fuel consumption. Once you eliminate the constant DPF clogging, you reduce exhaust backpressure.

The fuel will flow freely and faster, translating to improved gas mileage. You may notice more than a 20% increase in your truck's fuel economy. Well, that's what people say, we are very pessimistic in this case and we think you'll get about 0% of mileage improvements.

• Less Maintenance 

DPF gets sooted and fills up quite quickly. It's also susceptible to damage. Therefore, eliminating it will reduce your truck's maintenance or DPF replacement costs. 

Also, a clogged DPF is dangerous for your engine. To fend off any harm to it, you'll need to invest in frequent maintenance and DPF cleaning. You'll have to use the money to maintain the engine and the DPF. Hence, investing in a DPF delete reduces the trips to the auto repair shop.  

Cons 

The DPF delete also has its disadvantages. Here are the cons you'll have to endure for improved performance and fuel economy. 

• It's Illegal 

DPF delete gives you more power, better performance, and (maybe) improved fuel economy. However, it's illegal to operate a diesel truck without the DPF. The law prohibits one from driving a vehicle with a tampered exhaust system. Once you remove your vehicle's DPF, you meddle with its exhaust emission system. You may pay a hefty fine if caught driving a DPF-free car.

But you can do it legally by getting a recertification and a new emission label. It's a costly process and limits you from driving your truck on the streets or highways. 

But some countries or states have an escape clause that limits the DPF checks to visual checks. Therefore, you can drive the DPF trucks if you do it discreetly. You'll need to remove it discreetly and weld or mount back all the piping and canisters.

PLEASE TAKE A NOTE: We don't recommend any Delete Tuning - this will harm the nature and may result in a big fine for you.

• A Reduced Resale Value 

Removing any OEM equipment from your truck reduces its resale price. In addition to this, you'll need to reinstall the DPF to increase your customer base. A DPF-free truck limits your customer base because of the registration issues they may encounter.   

• Harms the Environment 

Since you don't have a mechanism to filter exhaust gases, you'll emit toxic gases into the atmosphere. Air contamination is a massive public health issue. You worsen the problem by driving a DPF-free vehicle. 

How to Complete a DPF Delete?

There are various ways to do a DPF removal. Let's look at these DPF delete methods in detail.  

Option #1: Pull Out the Internal Filter 

You can accomplish a DPF delete discreetly by removing the internal filter on your exhaust system and leaving the external casing in place. Start by removing and pulling apart the exhaust system from your truck. Cut a small hole in the DPF canister. Cut the engine facing side. Take off the internal filter and seal the hole by welding it. Refit the exhaust system to the truck. 

After removing the internal filter, you'll need to reconfigure the truck's computer system and reprogram it to function without the DPF. Uninstall any software connected to the DPF system. It will prevent the control unit from detecting a missing DPF. Some drivers add resistors to trick the DPF sensors into accepting ECU false detection. All in all, an ECU remap works better than deceiving it. Additionally, you won't have to lose sleep over the other systems related to the DPF. 

But the removal process may differ from vehicle to vehicle. It's easy to pull out the internal filter in some cars. However, some vehicles may require front subframe removal to access the exhaust system. 

Option #2: DPF Delete Kit 

A delete kit will do the deletion job perfectly. The basic DPF delete kit will remove and shift the exhaust pipe from the downpipe and move it to the muffler. 

You can also get the advanced delete kit. The kit has a new exhaust and programmer (tuner) to help reconfigure the truck's computer system. The exhaust will replace the DPF, while the tuner will remove DPF sensors. Therefore, preventing the ECU from displaying error DPF codes.

The delete kit also comes with bolts that ease the mounting process. Before taking it, ensure the bolts are compatible with your truck. You can also let a qualified mechanic help with the deletion process.   

Option #3: Pre-loaded Tuner 

A pre-loaded DPF delete tuner comes with pre-loaded delete tunes. DPF delete is accessible right from the box. With a single plug, you're ready to drive your truck DPF- free. The pre-loaded tuner deletes all the emission systems on your diesel truck. It can remove the entire DPF and sensors related to the DPF. It can also switch off the EGR without removing the EGR and eliminate the EGR and DOC and all their sensor codes. 

You can get the standard pre-loaded tuner or a custom-tuned pre-loaded tuner for your car. A custom pre-loaded tuner has tunes designed as per your modification requirements. Ensure you get your custom-tuned pre-loaded tuner from an authorized dealer. 

Recap

Although it's good for the environment, the 6.4 Power Stroke DPF restricts your vehicle's performance. It also causes poor fuel economy. Due to the recurrent DPF clogging, you'll take several trips to the repair shops. Therefore, hurting your pocket.

You may also have to do several DPF replacements. Thankfully, a DPF delete improves the car's performance, fuel consumption, engine response, and increased horsepower. It's a preferred solution among truck owners. They do it to boost their engine reliability and performance.

But you'll need to do it discreetly. There are legal requirements that limit you from driving a DPF-free vehicle. Avoid street and highway use. You may end up with hefty fines.